What Does “Charley horse” mean?
Definition:
If you get a Charley horse, you develop a cramp in the arm or the leg muscle because of excessive muscular strain or a blow.
Origin
The phrase is mostly used in American English. Its origin is unclear though. Some sources suggest that it comes from the baseball sport during the 1880s.
According to one theory, the expression was coined to describe a lame horse named Charley who drew the roller at the Chicago White Sox field.
Another origin attributes the phrase to Charley Radbourne, better known as Old Hoss, a baseball pitcher who experienced a muscle cramp during a game in the 1880s.
According to other sources, John Wesley “Jack” Glasscock, a baseball player adopted this term from his father, who looked after a horse named Charley. When Jack Glasscock’s father saw his son hobbling due to a leg injury, he allegedly said:
“Why, John, my boy, what is the matter; you go like the old Charley horse?”
Neither of the above accounts can be proven, and the origin of the phrase “charley horse” is still a mystery.
Example(s)
He left the game with a terrible charley horse.
She got a charley horse while swimming.
